lots of lots

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of lots" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to emphasize a large quantity of something, but clarity may be lost. Example: "There are lots of lots available for sale in that new development."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It takes lots and lots of lots of throws in the circle.

The Guardian - Sport

In other words, you don't want to get too bogged down in doing lots of lots of little, incremental stories.

The New York Times

An Array of Projects From Mansions To Town Houses From the east to the west ends of the peninsula, lots of lots have been snapped up.

The New York Times

His conference speech – "which is sort of written, but will no doubt be rewritten, lots of, lots of times"– will be driven by this theme.

The Guardian

Domestic violence increases for example, in the heat, and the oppression and the monotony and boredom that goes along with it, we get lots of lots family domestic stuff to deal with.

The Guardian

where its possible to get at least a flavour of what that day must have been like: steel drummers on the back of flat bed trucks, huge papier-mache head of NF leaders and Hitler (made by Peter Fluck and Roger Law who later went on to create Spitting Image) and lots of lots of banners.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I've been doing a lot of, lot of, lot of training leading up to this".

Independent

"I made a lot of, lot of unforced errors.

BBC

Lots and lots of pot.

The New York Times

"We have had lots and lots of diplomacy, and lots and lots of dialogue.

BBC

Lots and lots of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize quantity, consider using more standard and clear alternatives like "a great deal of", "many", or "a large number of" instead of "lots of lots". This improves clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using repetitive phrases like "lots of lots" in formal writing. While it might be acceptable in casual conversation for emphasis, it can come across as redundant or unsophisticated in more formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of lots" functions as a quantifier, aiming to express a large quantity. Ludwig suggests this construction is non-standard, however, it appears mostly in journalistic contexts, to increase emphasis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lots of lots" is used to emphasize a large quantity, it is generally considered grammatically questionable and non-standard English. Ludwig identifies it as a non-standard expression, though it does appear in journalistic contexts, and mostly News & Media. For improved clarity and professionalism, especially in formal writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "a great deal of", "many", or "a large number of". The repetition in "lots of lots" is suitable for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great number of

A more formal and precise way to indicate a large quantity.

an abundance of

Emphasizes a plentiful supply or quantity.

a multitude of

Suggests a very large number, often implying variety.

a vast quantity of

Highlights the immensity of the amount.

a plethora of

Uses a more formal and literary term for "many".

numerous

A concise adjective indicating a large number.

countless

Emphasizes that the quantity is too large to count.

masses of

Implies a large, often disorganized, quantity.

heaps of

An informal way to express a large amount or number.

tons of

An informal way to express a large amount or number.

FAQs

Is "lots of lots" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used informally for emphasis, "lots of lots" is generally considered grammatically questionable. It's often better to opt for clearer alternatives like "a great deal of" or "many".

What's a more formal substitute for "lots of lots"?

For formal writing, consider using phrases such as "a large number of", "a significant amount of", or "numerous".

When is it acceptable to use "lots of lots"?

"Lots of lots" might be acceptable in very informal contexts, such as casual conversations or personal writing, where emphasis is desired. However, it should be avoided in professional or academic settings.

How can I emphasize a large quantity without using "lots of lots"?

You can emphasize a large quantity by using intensifiers with more standard phrases. For example, "a huge number of", "a vast quantity of", or "an abundance of" are all effective alternatives.